UPDATE: April 18, 2013

The education wing of the church suffered severe water and smoke damage.

UPDATE: April 18, 2013

Each day, we will be posting updates about Oconee Street UMC.

A story in today’s Athens Banner-Herald confirms that the fire was accidental.

Church member Joe Dennis wrote a touching story published in Athens Patch.

Yesterday the education wing of the church, which suffered severe water and smoke damage, was boarded up by volunteers.

We met with leaders of Young Harris UMC — who graciously offered space on their campus — to discuss holding church and Sunday school services in their gymnasium. We will be there Sunday!

Athens First Baptist Church has graciously agreed to host Our Daily Bread in the interim to continue offering meals for the needy.

Music director Maxine Easom was interviewed in a news story that aired multiple times yesterday afternoon and this morning on WSB-TV, “Channel 2 Action News.”

We are receiving several offers of help and support. Thanks! Please know we greatly appreciate your offers and will be in touch. We’re pretty overwhelmed now.

This website has received more than 1,000 hits in its three days of existence, and we are receiving several generous donations for rebuilding the church. Thanks so much for your support! Please help spread the word.